Allergic reaction to CT contrast dye: Hello Is... - Thyroid UK

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Allergic reaction to CT contrast dye

HowNowWhatNow profile image
26 Replies

Hello

Is there a connection between having a thyroid connection and having this kind of allergic reaction? I have read of some overlap in hyperthyroidism, but is the same true of hypo?

I have never been allergic to anything in my life, but suffered a (mild) allergic reaction to my second ever CT scan last week. It was a scary thing and I’m told I now can’t have CT dye again, but it was treatable with injected anti-histamines.

Thanks

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HowNowWhatNow
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26 Replies
Anthea55 profile image
Anthea55

I found this among the Related Posts. Several people have had reactions to the dye. healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply toAnthea55

For those of us who don’t entirely understand could you please explain what the effective free iodine could do?

Anthea55 profile image
Anthea55 in reply toHowNowWhatNow

No I can't. My post only had a single line and a link.

The second paragraph wasn't added by me. I'm guessing that it got there by mistake from helvella as an Administrator. Otherwise HU is doing a wobbly!

Sorry.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toAnthea55

HU is doing a wobbly!

The second paragraph was posted within my reply after the link I included. Have now copied it into my earlier reply.

Have seen several funnies already today.

Have reported issue to HU.

Anthea55 profile image
Anthea55 in reply tohelvella

I've deleted it from my post.

I leave it to you to report back to HU, unless you want me to as well on the basis that the more that people report problems the sooner they do something about it.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toAnthea55

I don't think it will help but thank you for offering. :-)

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply toAnthea55

Thank you

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

This is a short but to the point article (directed towards radiographers rather than patients):

radiopaedia.org/articles/ct...

I do not know if this is more common on those with thyroid disease. Apparently, although it has a significant iodine content, that iodine is largely bound so the effective free iodine isn't that great.

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply tohelvella

Thanks

radd profile image
radd

Geogeor,

I had an IV contrast CT scan recently and wondered about the effects of iodinated dye. Luckily I was fine. Sorry to hear you weren't. What effects did you suffer?

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply toradd

I’m glad. I had one CT scan this March and was fine. But…. It was done faultily / negligently and so the CT fluid was injected into the tissue / muscle and not the vein. A terrifying thing because the nurses had not told me how to communicate with them in the effect something went wrong. I waved my hands around and no response.

My arm became as swollen as an elephant’s leg.

So I wondered whether this had anything to do with it.

My reaction was to get an itchy neck and then hives on my neck and a red face almost as soon as the CT scan was over. I felt the beginnings of some constriction of my windpipe but fortunately that did not progress. So mine was definitely at the milder end.

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply toHowNowWhatNow

I was given an injection to help the allergic symptoms go away. I felt a huge tiredness as soon as I had that, and had to sleep for the next 2 hours. They aren’t joking about anti-histamines making you dozy - I’ve never felt so tired all of a sudden.I’ve had a headache on-off since, and so am drinking lots of water in case this is a vestigial symptom, to flush out any contrast that remains.

Lizzo30 profile image
Lizzo30

Allergies and autoimmune disorders such as hashimotos and graves are often caused by estrogen dominance or rather low progesterone- progesterone moderates estrogen

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply toLizzo30

Thank you - so does that mean we must be on the lookout for allergic reactions? I don’t fully understand..

Lizzo30 profile image
Lizzo30 in reply toHowNowWhatNow

Hi Geogeor I am not a health professional but I have learnt a few things in the past few years - autoimmune disorders can be triggered by estrogen dominance- women get them more than men, testosterone protects men thats why for example boys with autoimmune eczema usually improve when they hit puberty , and women with MS go into remission when pregnant due to the high level of progesterone during pregnancy progesterone moderates estrogen Estrogen is excititory but progesterone is inhibitory

I use natural progesterone cream to prevent estrogen dominance and also have an alkaline diet

posthinking01 profile image
posthinking01

Hi there - yes unfortunately - low thyroid hormone can cause all sorts of allergies. If it contains iodine - you should ask for a non-iodine contrast as particularly with Hashi's iodine is a no no as it can cause a reaction within the gland as it will find it difficult to process the iodine.

Also make sure you tell your dentist you want a non adrenaline injection - as adrenaline puts pressure on the adrenal gland which can be a little worn out with thyroid issues - took me years to realise I shouldn't be having it - years ago when I just mentioned to my dentist - I hate coming to the dentist - he said why are you frightened ? I said no - but when I have an injection it means I am exhausted for days afterwards almost unable to function just laying on the settee - he said you should have told me - that means an adrenaline injection is not for you - I told him I thought everyone felt rubbish after going to the dentist - what a revelation.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toposthinking01

Geogeor,

You might find this paper (and other papers that cite it) of some interest regarding alternative non-iodinated contrast agents:

Contrast alternatives for iodinated contrast allergy and renal dysfunction: Options and limitations

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply tohelvella

Thank you

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply tohelvella

Interesting. My hospital had to see tests showing renal function, but asked nothing about thyroid. I guess this is standard practice / checklist.

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply toposthinking01

Why would a dentist give you an adrenaline injection? Is that pain relief?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toHowNowWhatNow

The standard dental anaesthetic injections contain a small amount of adrenalin - which helps to retain the anaesthetic in place rather than washed away by blood supply.

All dentists will have non-adrenalin forms also available.

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply tohelvella

I see.

posthinking01 profile image
posthinking01 in reply toHowNowWhatNow

all dental injections are adrenaline based as a rule - yes pain etc

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply toposthinking01

Never knew. Thanks, both.

HowNowWhatNow profile image
HowNowWhatNow in reply toposthinking01

Thank you for the info

I have this too but soon wears off x

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